Essential hydration hacks to illuminate your skin throughout the winter wedding season

Maintaining a hydrated and radiant complexion is of utmost importance for all to-be brides, especially those getting married during winter months. The season brings with it crisp, moisture-depleting air, thus often leading to skin dryness and dullness. To counteract this, a meticulously curated skincare routine is essential. 

Hydrate from within: There's a good chance you're feeling worn out from all the wedding shopping and chores during the run-up to your wedding day. Thus it is essential to stay hydrated from within. A daily intake of at least eight glasses of water along with having a glass of fresh coconut water every day is recommended. Herbal teas and warm water with lemon can also count as your daily fluid intake. Complement this with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, a natural way to boost your skin’s hydration quotient.

Your skin will glow with simple changes like drinking fresh juices or soup, eating healthy food, avoiding junk and binging, and having preservative-free meals. You can include a handful of almonds, sprouts, antioxidant-rich fruits, and green leafy vegetables in your diet to attain that healthy glow.

This internal moisturisation is critical for maintaining the skin's natural hydration levels and ensuring a healthy, bridal glow. 

Use deeply hydrating products: Start with a hyaluronic acid serum, which acts like a sponge to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid is basically a humectant that helps us draw moisture from our surroundings into our skin and we need that during this dry time You can also switch to a thicker, richer moisturiser during winter. Look for products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, ceramides or glycerin, that reinforces the skin barrier, which is crucial for colder months.

Exfoliate once a week: Regular, gentle exfoliation once a week removes dead skin cells, promoting better absorption of moisturisers. Choosing a lactic acid or urea-based exfoliators, helps as these exfoliators are also hydrating. Avoid over-exfoliating, as it can worsen dryness. Once or twice a week is usually sufficient.

Use hydrating masks: Use a deeply hydrating sheet mask once a week. Ingredients like seaweed, glycerin, squalane, aloe vera, and centella asiatica offer deep hydration and soothe the skin. 

Wear sunscreen every day: Don't forget to use sunscreen during the winter as well. The moisture barrier of the skin is essential for skin health and can be harmed by harmful UV rays. To shield yourself from damaging UV rays and sunburn, you should start applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed portions of your body. You can protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun by applying a liberal dose of sunscreen every two hours. Additionally, even when indoor, sunscreen application is essential.

You could also integrate a liquid sunscreen in your skincare routine. Unlike stick sunscreens, which might compromise full protection, liquid formulas not only shield against harmful UV rays but also provide a radiant, non-matte finish. 

Don't skip night-time skincare: Night creams with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, and glutathione can provide intense hydration and ensure you wake up with supple and refreshed-looking skin. If your skin feels extra thirsty, layer vaseline after your moisturizer.

Consider professional treatments: Procedures like a Hydrafacial or light chemical peels, which can be tailored to your skin type help in providing deeper and longer-lasting hydration. A "hydra facial" is a term used to describe Hydradermabrasion, which combines all the required procedures, including adequate cleansing, exfoliation, antioxidant, extraction, hydration, and so forth. This non-invasive treatment hydrates the skin and imparts a healthy shine without causing any irritation.

A JetPeel procedure infuses key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, argirelline, growth factors into the deeper layer (dermis) without actually piercing the skin. Whereas a skin booster injection delivers these ingredients with the help of tiny needles and gives hydration for over six months.

Consume Omega-3 supplements: These can enhance the skin’s lipid barrier, essential in retaining moisture. Omega-3 is found in fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements. It helps maintain the skin's health internally and prevents dryness.

Avoid hot showers: Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils. Opt for lukewarm water and limit shower time.

Invest in humidifiers: Placing a humidifier in your room to add moisture to the air goes a long way in preventing the evaporation of moisture from the top layers of your skin.

Inputs by Vandana Mathur, Cosmetologist and Makeup Artist at Perfect Point, Dr Veenu Jindal, Consultant, Dermatologist, Max Multi Speciality Center Panchsheel Park, Dr. Chytra Anand, Dermatologist & Founder, SkinQ & Kosmoderma Clinics, Maninder, Senior Aesthecian, Looks Salons, Mumbai, Lalita Arya, Vice-President, DermaPuritys, Dr. BL Jangid, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, SkinQure Clinic, Saket New Delhi, content creators Muskan Chanchlani, Himadri Patel and Leisha Patidar